If you’re planning to get outside with your kids today, here are a few fun (and free!) iPhone apps that make being out in nature fun. Go on a scavenger hunt in your local park, find hiking trails close to home (or wherever you are) and learn more about the flora and fauna in your community.
AllTrails: This is a great app if you want to get out on a hike, but don’t know where to go. You’ll find over 40,000 high-quality trail guides inside this app. Using the GPS on your phone, the app will find trails near you, sorted by nearest, popular and shortest. You can also add in new trails for the benefit of other families.
The Hidden Park: Kids will enjoy a GPS-guided scavenger hunt that uncovers trolls, fairies, tree genies and other creatures lurking around landmarks in select parks, including Central Park in New York and Boston Common in Boston. Use the in-app Park Builder to create your own version of the game to play in your local park by taking photos and uploading GPS coordinates.
Project Noah: This is a great free app that encourages kids to learn about flora and fauna around them. Take pictures and the app tags each one with a date and location. It helps you identify the plant or animal in the photo too. Use the location-based field guide to see what’s been spotted near you and join missions to contribute to ongoing research projects. Even earn patches for various nature achievements.
For more apps perfect for a day outside, check out my five favorite nature-focused iPhone apps I highlighted for National Park Week. Do you have any favorite outdoors-y iPhone apps? Let me know in the comments section below.
Thanks for sharing these apps. They come in handy when you’re traveling. “The Hidden Park” sounds like a fun app.
I’m all for educational apps. It’s a great way to teach kids about nature and what to look for when they’re hiking with mom and dad.